Reclamation for Maldives’ new runway to begin in July

An aerial view of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA). PHOTO/MACL

Land reclamation for the development of Maldives main airport’s new runway commences next month, announced Maldives Airports Company (MACL) on Wednesday.

MACL’s managing director Adil Moosa told Mihaaru that the project’s contractor, Beijing Urban Construction Group of China, has already brought a dredger to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) for the land reclamation, with plans to bring in one more underway.

“We expect the reclamation to be finished within five months and that the whole project will be completed in 2018,” said Adil.

INIA’s new runway will measure 3,400 metres in length and 60 metres in width. The USD 373 million project includes development of a 120,000 tonne cargo terminal and a fuel farm with a capacity of 45 million litres.

Adil stated that temporary lodges are currently under construction for the project contractors.

“The runway project and development of the new terminal will proceed simultaneously. Preparation of the terminal’s detail design has been awarded to a French firm,” he added.

According to MACL, the USD 300 million project awarded to Saudi Binladin Group of Saudi Arabia is expected to reach completion in 2018. With the new runway and terminal, INIA can serve serve million passengers annually.

“The finance ministry has assured us that all the funds required for the project have been finalised. We hope it will commence soon,” said the managing director.